How AI Will Shape Humanity’s Future - Yuval Noah Harari
Summary
TLDRIn this interview, historian and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari discusses the rapid pace of technological change and its impact on the future. Harari emphasizes that while every generation perceives change, the current technological revolution is unprecedented, with AI being a unique force capable of making independent decisions and creating new ideas. He warns of the dangers of entrusting power to something we don't fully understand. Harari also touches on his new book for children, 'Unstoppable Us,' which explores the concept of fairness and the role of stories in shaping human conflicts and injustices.
Takeaways
- 📚 Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author known for his book 'Sapiens'.
- 🌍 Harari views history as the study of change and its relevance to the present and future, rather than just the past.
- 🚀 Harari has shifted his focus to the future, particularly the impact of technology, which he believes is changing at an unprecedented rate.
- 🌟 Every generation feels they are experiencing rapid change, but Harari asserts that this time it's real, with uncertainty about the future unlike any other point in human history.
- 🤖 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a significant focus of Harari's, who sees it as a potentially dangerous technology due to its ability to make decisions and create new ideas independently.
- 🧠 Harari emphasizes that AI is different from previous technologies because it can operate beyond the limits of human imagination and organic biochemistry.
- 📖 Harari's new book, 'Unstoppable Us,' targets young readers to discuss the concept of fairness and the role of stories in human conflicts.
- 🌐 The world's conflicts are often about the stories people believe, which Harari suggests can be changed through dialogue and finding common ground.
- 📚 Harari's work encourages readers to understand the power of stories and the potential for change in human societies.
- 🌈 Harari's perspective offers a hopeful outlook on resolving conflicts by changing the narratives that drive them.
Q & A
What is Yuval Noah Harari's perspective on the study of history?
-Yuval Noah Harari views history not merely as the study of the past, but as the study of change, focusing on how things change and its relevance to the present and future.
How does Harari describe the pace of technological change in the current generation?
-Harari believes that this generation is experiencing an accelerated pace of technological change, unlike any before, to the point where no one can predict what the world will look like in 20 years.
What is Harari's stance on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI)?
-Harari sees AI as extremely dangerous because it is the first technology that can make decisions and create new ideas independently, which is a significant departure from previous technologies.
How does Harari differentiate AI from previous technologies?
-Harari explains that while previous information technologies like the printing press and television were about copying and disseminating human ideas, AI can create entirely new ideas not bound by the limits of human imagination.
What is an example of AI creating new ideas, as mentioned by Harari?
-Harari cites the game of Go, where AI has developed new strategies that no human had ever imagined, showcasing AI's ability to create beyond human thought.
What is the main message of Harari's new book 'Unstoppable Us'?
-The book aims to convey that the world's conflicts and injustices are often rooted in the stories we believe, rather than objective realities, suggesting that changing these stories could potentially resolve conflicts.
Who is the target audience for Harari's book 'Unstoppable Us'?
-The book is intended for children aged eight to twelve, addressing the concept that the world isn't fair and exploring the nature of conflicts and stories.
How does Harari relate the concept of fairness to historical conflicts?
-Harari argues that conflicts are often about the stories people believe in, such as who is favored by God or who has rightful claim to certain lands, rather than tangible resources.
What does Harari suggest as a solution to conflicts based on stories?
-Harari suggests that by changing the stories we believe in, we might be able to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence, by finding a common story that all parties can agree on.
How does Harari view the role of stories in human history?
-Harari believes that humans are storytelling animals and that the major conflicts and injustices in the world are ultimately about the stories we tell ourselves and each other.
What is Harari's opinion on the future relevance of traditional skills?
-Harari points out that today, unlike in the past, nobody knows what skills to teach young people that will still be relevant in 20 years due to the rapid pace of change.
Outlines
📚 The Historian's Perspective on Change
In this segment, Yuval Noah Harari, a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author of 'Sapiens,' discusses the nature of history as the study of change. He emphasizes that history is not just about the past but also about understanding how things evolve and what that means for the present and future. The conversation touches on the rapid pace of technological change and whether this generation is experiencing something unique compared to the past. Harari asserts that for the first time in human history, there is widespread uncertainty about what the world will look like in 20 years, highlighting the unprecedented nature of current technological advancements.
🌐 The Impact of AI and the Future of Knowledge
This paragraph delves into the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future and the potential dangers of giving power to something we don't fully understand. Harari argues that AI is different from previous technologies because it can make decisions and create new ideas independently. He provides examples of AI's creative capabilities, such as its impact on social media algorithms and its ability to play games like Go in ways that surpass human imagination. The discussion also explores the idea that conflicts are often based on the stories we believe, suggesting that changing these narratives could be a path to resolution.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Historian
💡Sapiens
💡Technological Impact
💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)
💡Change
💡Uncertainty
💡Stories
💡Fairness
💡Conflict
💡Imagination
Highlights
Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author of 'Sapiens'.
Harari views history as the study of change and its relevance to the present and future.
Harari has shifted focus from the past to the future, particularly the impact of technology.
This generation may be experiencing the most rapid technological change in history.
Harari believes that for the first time, no one can predict what the world will look like in 20 years.
AI is the first technology that can make decisions and create new ideas independently.
AI's decision-making on social media content is an example of its new idea creation.
AI's ability to play Go in ways unimaginable to humans demonstrates its potential for innovation.
Harari's new book, 'Unstoppable Us,' addresses the unfairness of the world to children aged 8 to 12.
Harari suggests that conflicts are often about the stories we believe, not objective realities.
Changing the stories we believe in could potentially resolve conflicts without violence.
Harari's perspective on AI's potential independence and the dangers it poses.
The importance of teaching young people how to deal with AI.
Harari's comparison of AI to the printing press and the atom bomb, emphasizing AI's unique capabilities.
The significance of AI not being limited by organic biochemistry, unlike human imagination.
Harari's discussion on the role of stories in human conflict and the possibility of resolving them through dialogue.
The potential for AI to create entirely new ideas beyond the limits of human imagination.
Harari's optimism about the possibility of changing stories to end conflicts peacefully.
Transcripts
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> Stephen: HEY!
WELCOME BACK. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NEXT
GUEST IS AN HISTORIAN, PHILOSOPHER, AND THE BESTSELLING
AUTHOR OF "SAPIENS." PLEASE WELCOME
YUVAL NOAH HARARI. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
♪ ♪ PLEASE.
NICE TO MEET YOU. AS I WAS SAYING BACKSTAGE, I
FEEL LIKE I HAD INTERVIEWED YOU BEFORE BECAUSE I HAVE READ
"SAPIENS." I HAD SEEN YOU BEING
INTERVIEWED. IT FEELS LIKE WE KNOW EACH
OTHER. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS BOOK.
THIS IS "SAPIENS," ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL NONFICTION BOOKS
OF ALL TIME. [APPLAUSE]
AND IT TACKLED THE SORT OF NICHE SUBJECT, THIS NICHE SUBJECT
WHICH IS THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND.
I AM JUST CURIOUS HOW YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FIELD OF STUDY
SINCE WHAT YOU STUDY IS EVERYTHING.
>> Yuval Noah: I'M A HISTORIAN.
BUT I UNDERSTAND HISTORY NOT AS THE STUDY OF THE PAST.
RATHER IT'S THE STUDY OF CHANGE, OF HOW THINGS CHANGE AND WHAT
MAKES IT RELEVANT TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE.
>> Stephen: YOU RECENTLY TURNED YOUR FOCUS FROM THE PAST
TO THE FUTURE, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW, SPECIFICALLY
THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY. AND IT FEELS LIKE THINGS ARE
CHANGING INCREDIBLY FAST. LIKE THIS GENERATION IS
UNDERGOING A MORE RAPID CHANGE OF THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL
ENVIRONMENT THAN EVER BEFORE. IS IT REALLY?
OR DOES EVERY GENERATION FEEL THAT WAY?
PEOPLE ARE GOING, WHY AREN'T WE CARVING IN STONE ANYMORE?
THESE KIDS WITH THEIR PAPYRUS. IS IT REAL THAT WE ARE GOING
THROUGH SOME ACCELERATED CHANGE? >> Yuval Noah: EVERY
GENERATION THINKS LIKE THAT BUT THIS TIME IT'S REAL.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY THAT NOBODY HAS ANY IDEA
HOW THE WORLD WOULD LOOK LIKE IN 20 YEARS.
NOW OF COURSE POLITICALLY IT WAS ALWAYS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT THE
FUTURE. IF YOU LIVED IN THE MIDDLE AGES,
YOU DO NOT KNOW MAYBE NEXT YEAR THE VIKINGS INVADED.
THE MONGOLS INVADED. THERE'S AN EPIDEMIC.
YOU CAN'T PREDICT THAT. THE BASIC STUFF OF HUMAN LIFE,
THE BASIC SKILLS. >> Stephen: WE ARE ALL GOING
TO BE HERDING SHEEP IN 20 YEARS NO MATTER WHO'S IN CHARGE.
>> Yuval Noah: YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO TEACH YOUR KIDS HOW TO
PLANT RICE AND WHEAT, HOW TO RIDE A HORSE, HOW TO SHOOT A
BOWL. IT WILL STILL BE RELEVANT IN 20
YEARS BUT TODAY NOBODY HAS ANY IDEA WHAT TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE
THAT WILL STILL BE RELEVANT IN 20 YEARS.
>> Stephen: DO WE NEED TO TEACH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ANYTHING
NOW THAT AI IS HERE? >> Yuval Noah: HOW TO DEAL
WITH IT. >> Stephen: HOW TO DEAL WITH
IT, OKAY. AI IS OF COURSE ONE OF THE
LATEST THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ANTICIPATING FOR A LONG TIME BUT
NOW IN SOME -- I ACTUALLY THINK SO FAR VERY
MINOR WAYS AI IS SHOWING UP. >> Yuval Noah: IT'S STILL A
BABY. WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET.
>> Stephen: A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED.
I'M NOT THAT WORRIED ABOUT AI. IT DOESN'T GET MY BLOOD GOING TO
GET WORRIED ABOUT AI. I THINK OF SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS
OF IT. I HAVE SEEN HOW HUMANS HAVE
HANDLED HISTORY AND NOT GREAT. SO I'M READY FOR THE BIG
MACHINES THAT MAKE BIG DECISIONS PROGRAMMED BY FELLOWS WITH
COMPASSION AND VISION. I'M READY FOR THE MACHINES TO
TELL US WHAT TO DO. ARE YOU?
>> Yuval Noah: NOT REALLY. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
>> Stephen: WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?
>> Yuval Noah: TO GIVE POWER TO SOMETHING WE DON'T
UNDERSTAND. >> Stephen: THEY ARE JUST
EXTENSIONS OF US. >> Yuval Noah: KNOW THEY'RE
NOT. >> Stephen: YES THEY ARE.
WE MADE THEM. THEY ARE US.
>> Yuval Noah: WE MADE THEM BUT NOW THE BECOME POTENTIALLY
INDEPENDENT OF US. THE ONE THING TO KNOW ABOUT AI,
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT AI, IT'S THE FIRST
TECHNOLOGY IN HISTORY THEY CAN MAKE DECISIONS BY ITSELF AND CAN
CREATE NEW IDEAS BY ITSELF. PEOPLE COMPARE IT TO THE
PRINTING PRESS, THE ATOM BOMB, NO, IT'S CLEARLY DIFFERENT.
>> Stephen: ANY PROOF THAT AI HAS COME UP WITH A NEW IDEA?
>> Yuval Noah: ABSOLUTELY. ALL THE TIME.
>> Stephen: WHAT? GIVE ME ONE.
>> Yuval Noah: FOR INSTANCE, DECIDING WHAT TO SHOW US ON
SOCIAL MEDIA. >> Stephen: THAT'S NOT A NEW
IDEA. IT'S MAKING DECISIONS.
>> Yuval Noah: TWO THINGS. MAKING DECISIONS AND NEW IDEAS.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IDEAS AND YOU TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE GAME OF GO.
>> Stephen: WHAT IS GO? >> Yuval Noah: A MUCH MORE
COMMON VERSION OF CHESS. IN EAST ASIA IT'S ONE OF THE
OLDEST GAES TO BE KNOWN. 3,000 YEARS OF TRADITION IN EAST
ASIA. ENTIRE SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT.
AI COMES AND WITHIN A FEW YEARS PLAYS LIKE NO HUMAN EVER IMAGINE
THAT IT'S POSSIBLE TO PLAY. THIS CAN HAPPEN IN MORE AND MORE
FIELDS. WE HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED
ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. BECAUSE EVERY PREVIOUS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, IT'S SIMPLY COPIED AND DISSEMINATED
OUR IDEAS. THE PRINTING PRESS JUST PRODUCED
MORE BOOKS. TELEVISION JUST BROADCAST OUR
THOUGHTS. HERE WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT CAN
CREATE ENTIRELY NEW IDEAS WHICH ARE NOT EVEN BOUND BY THE LIMITS
OF OUR IMAGINATION. OUR IMAGINATION IS THE PRODUCT
OF ORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY. AI IS NOT LIMITED BY THAT.
>> Stephen: ALL RIGHT, SO YOU HAVE A NEW BOOK NOW.
IT'S CALLED "UNSTOPPABLE US." WHY THE WORLD ISN'T FAIR.
I'LL BITE. WHY ISN'T THE WORLD FAIR?
IS THIS A MESSAGE, THIS IS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE?
>> Yuval Noah: YEAH, IT'S FOR KIDS AGE EIGHT TO 12.
>> Stephen: HEY, KIDS! [LAUGHTER]
THE WORLD ISN'T FAIR. >> Yuval Noah: THEY KNOW THE
WORLD IS IN FAIR. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT
KIDS EVERYWHERE SAY "IT ISN'T FAIR.
BECAUSE WHAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT ADULTS ONLY SAY.
AND IN THE END, FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE IT'S THE
STORIES THAT WE BELIEVE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAJOR
CONFLICTS AND INJUSTICES IN THE WORLD, IT'S ULTIMATELY ABOUT THE
STORIES WE BELIEVE. WE ARE STORYTELLING ANIMAL.
SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT HUMAN CONFLICT, THAT HUMANS FIGHT OVER
THE SAME REASONS THAT OTHER ANIMALS FIGHT.
OVER TERRITORY COME OVER FOOD. THIS IS RARELY THE CASE.
IF I THINK FOR INSTANCE ABOUT THE TERRIBLE CONFLICT IN MY
REGION OF THE WORLD BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS, IT'S
NOT REALLY ABOUT TERRITORY OR FOOD.
THERE IS ENOUGH LAND TO BUILD HOUSES AND HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS
FOR EVERYONE. THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED
EVERYBODY. PEOPLE FIGHT OVER THE IMAGINARY
STORIES IN THEIR MIND. WHO IS GOD'S FAVORITE CHILDREN?
WHO GOD GAVE JERUSALEM OR THESE HOLY STONES TOO.
THIS IS WHY MOST CONFLICTS IN THE WORLD ARE ABOUT.
WHICH IS ALSO GOOD NEWS BECAUSE OF CONFLICTS ARE ABOUT OBJECTIVE
THINGS, THE ONLY WAY TO END THEM IS WITH VIOLENCE.
BUT IF CONFLICTS ARE ABOUT THE STORIES WE BELIEVE, THERE IS A
CHANCE AT LEAST IN SOME CASES TO JUST TALK ABOUT IT AND PERHAPS
CHANGE THE STORY. AND FIND A COMMON STORY THAT WE
CAN BOTH BE HAPPY WITH. [APPLAUSE]
>> Stephen: HIS NEW BOOK "UNSTOPPABLE US" VOLUME TWO IS
AVAILABLE NOW. YUVAL NOAH HARARI, EVERYBODY.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
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